Measures to contain the spread of Covid-19

08/04/2021 - 12:41 h

Covid-19. The measures in place in Catalonia have been extended and will remain in force until 26 April, including the county lockdown.

Some measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 were eased on 15 March. The changes mainly affected mobility, commerce and sport. The county lockdown was re-established from 9 April, meaning individuals and bubble groups cannot travel between counties. The package of measures has now been extended and will remain in force until 26 April. (Information updated on 16 April)

Mobility, travel and social gatherings

  • Entering or leaving Catalonia is not permitted, except in medical emergencies, for work purposes, care of vulnerable people, return to one’s usual place of residence and other duly justified force majeure causes.
  • Entering or leaving the county is not permitted without a valid reason. As from 9 April the possibility of people in the same bubble group travelling between counties will once again be eliminated.
  • Mobility is restricted at night from 10 pm to 6 am, except in the same cases and for the acquisition of pharmaceutical products and the care of pets (4 am to 6 am).
  • Social gatherings are limited to a maximum of six people, and two bubble groups at the most. People are advised to limit any gatherings in enclosed spaces and to preferably meet outdoors. In indoor public spaces, gatherings are restricted to four people. Gatherings of more than one bubble group inside private homes are not permitted.

Workplaces

  • Commuting should be reduced as much as possible, with priority given to teleworking and flexible working hours.

Commerce

  • Capacity limited to 30%.
  • As from 15 March, commercial establishments can open all week.
  • Shops with up to 800 m2 of floor space can also open from 15 March. Shops with more floor space can open, limiting the area which is open to customers accordingly.
  • Shopping centres can open, but on-site eateries, recreational areas and children’s play areas must stay closed.
  • Establishments must close at 9 pm at the latest.
  • Temporary markets and fairs allowed from 15 March, with 30% capacity.

Eateries

  • As from 8 March, people can consume food and drink at tables on the premises between 7.30 am and 5 pm.
  • Indoor capacity, suitably ventilated, is limited to 30%, and 100% for terraces.
  • Maximum of four people per table, except for stable bubble groups/households.
  • Distances of 2 metres between tables.
  • Takeaway services until 10 pm and home deliveries until 11 pm.

Culture

  • Theatres, cinemas, auditoriums and concert halls can open with 50% of their usual spectator capacity, up to a maximum of 500 people. This may be increased to 1,000 people, seated and with bookings, if the venue complies with extra ventilation and crowd control measures.
  • Libraries, museums, exhibition venues and art galleries can open, with 50% capacity.
  • Venues to close at 10 pm at the latest, with spectators allowed to return home after that time.
  • As from Monday 8 March, community facilities can hold on-site outdoor activities for the over-60s, in groups no larger than six people.

Sport

  • Sports facilities can open with 30% capacity. Changing rooms may open, with people requested to use them responsibly.
  • Indoor group sports activities can operate with 30%, while capacity at swimming pools is 50%.
  • Open-air sports are allowed with no limits on numbers.
  • No restrictions apply to federated sport from 15 March. Spectators may only attend up to a capacity of 50% in outdoor facilities and 30% in indoor facilities, except for national and international competitions.
  • These limitations do not affect sports technical perfection and performance centres and professional sports facilities.

Education and leisure for children and young people

  • At universities, as from 8 March, on-site courses can resume up to a maximum of 30% of students on site at any one time.
  • Reduced face-to-face studies in post-compulsory education (baccalaureate, further and higher education courses)
  • Extra-curricular and educational leisure activities can resume for infant and primary school pupils, in groups of six children at the most, respecting the established measures and prioritising outdoor activity. As from Monday, this also applies for pupils in secondary school, baccalaureate studies and vocational training.
  • Educational recreation activities for young children and young people suspended.
  • School outings allowed beyond county boundaries and including overnight stays, respecting school bubble groups.

Public transport

  • Service levels remain at 100%, including rush hours between 6 am and 9 am on working days.

Religious and civil ceremonies

  • Venue capacities are reduced to 30%, up to a maximum of 500 people. In open-air spaces complying with extra ventilation this can rise to 1,000 people (without exceeding 30% capacity) providing extra ventilation, air quality and access measures are met.

Nightlife venues

  • Nightlife venues are closed.

Amusment parks and fairs

  • These remain closed.

Parks and gardens

  • Parks and children’s play areas are closed from 8 pm to 7 am, and capacity is limited to 30%.

Congresses, conventions, trade fairs and local festivals

  • On-site activities suspended.

Gambling activities

  • As from 15 March, amusement arcades, casinos and bingo halls may open with capacity limited to 30%, up to a maximum of 100 people and ensuring the minimum established ventilation. If certain other conditions are met on ventilation and air quality and guarantees on measures to avoid clusters of people, these establishments may open respecting the capacity of 30% and up to a maximum of 250 people.

Health and prevention measures

Suitable health and prevention measures must continue to be adopted in all spaces and for all activities, with safety distances between people guaranteed.

Full information in the DOGC.